Man United step up Yann Sommer pursuit, Brighton take up Leandro Trossard option as Chelsea and Newcastle circle

Brighton have informed Leandro Trossard they are taking up the extra year’s option in his contract to fend off January interest from Chelsea and Newcastle.

The clause ties down Belgium star Trossard, 28 last month, until the summer of 2024.

The Seagulls are hoping to convince Trossard to sign a new long-term deal to avoid being forced to cash in at the end of the season.

Brighton’s former transfer guru Dan Ashworth, now director of football at Newcastle, is keeping a close eye on the situation.

Chelsea boss Graham Potter is also a big admirer of Trossard, who has scored 25 goals in 116 Premier League games.

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Ings up for sale with ex-club keen

Aston Villa are open to offers for striker Danny Ings to pave the way for Unai Emery to bring in a new forward.

Ings has started just eight Premier League games this season and has been on the bench for Villa’s two matches since the World Cup break.

Villa will let Ings decide on his future but have made it clear they will not stand in his way if he wishes to leave.

Old club Southampton would be open to re-signing the former Liverpool striker, who they sold to Villa for £25m in the summer of 2021.

Another of Ings’s former south coast sides, Bournemouth, are also in the market for a new front-man.

Man United step up pursuit of World Cup star

Manchester United are ready to bring forward their move for Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer after being left short-handed by Martin Dubravka’s return to Newcastle.

United were already working on a deal to sign Sommer – who had a decent World Cup – as a free agent when his Borussia Monchengladbach contract expires in the summer.

The Red Devils are hoping to persuade the Bundesliga outfit to allow Sommer to leave for a knockdown fee this month.

It comes after Newcastle recalled Dubravka from his loan at Old Trafford after making just two cup appearances.

Everton battle to sign £10m-rated Championship ace

Everton and Bournemouth are among half a dozen Premier League clubs who want to sign Bristol City starlet Alex Scott.

England under-20 midfielder Scott, 19, has earned rave reviews since breaking into the City first-team last season.

The Robins value Guernsey-born Scott in excess of £10m.

Bournemouth are interested in making Scott one of their first buys under new owner Bill Foley and have also scouted his teammate, striker Antoine Semenyo.